Systems, Methods and Apparatus for Producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an apparatus to produce SAF from dry natural gas includes a natural gas reforming area that receives the dry natural gas and that produces synthetic gas from the dry natural gas, a Fischer-Tropsch conversion area that is operably coupled to the natural gas reforming area and that receives the synthetic gas and produces a hydrocarbon chain from the synthetic gas and a product upgrading area that is operably coupled to the Fischer-Tropsch conversion area that receives the hydrocarbon chain and that produces the SAF from the hydrocarbon chain.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to environmentally sustainablebiofuel, and more particularly to sustainable aviation fuel, sustainableaircraft fuel or synthesized isoparaffinic kerosene.

BACKGROUND

Conventional SAF is a fuel that is produced from livestock feeds. SAF isalso known as sustainable aviation fuel, sustainable aircraft fuel orsynthesized isoparaffinic kerosene (SPK) that is used in commercialaircraft jet engines. Currently, the airlines using SAF as a jetaircraft fuel include Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Interjet,AeroMexico, Iberia, Thomson Airways, Air France, Air China, AlaskaAirways, Thai Airways, Etihad Airways, Latam Airways, Porter Airlines,Jetstar Airways, Air Canada, KLM, GOL Lineas Aereas, Nextjet, Lufthansa,Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian Airlines, Hainan Airlines, AlaskaAirlines, Braathens Regional Airlines, Singapore Airlines, HainanAirlines, China Airlines, Qantas, SpiceJet Airlines, jetBlue Airways,Etihad Airways, China Southern Airlines, United Airlines, Delta,Egyptair, and Finnair.

Because conventional SAF is not as combustible as conventionalhydrocarbon aviation jet fuel, the conventional SAF is typically admixedas approx. 10% of the fuel, with conventional hydrocarbon aviation jetfuel being the remaining 90% of the fuel, in the same way that Ethanolis admixed with gasoline, thus providing only a 10% reduction in carbonemissions over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to conventionalhydrocarbon aviation jet fuel that conventional SAF replaces.

Furthermore, because not all of the livestock feed is completelyprocessed during the processing of the livestock feed, the conventionalSAF includes some amount of the unprocessed livestock feed, which cancoat the interior of jet engines during combustion of the conventionalSAF, thus increasing maintenance costs of the jet engines.

In addition, in conventional natural gas production, a natural gaspipeline connects each wellhead to a natural gas collection point and apipeline connects each natural gas collection point to a natural gasplant. Natural gas moves from wellheads to the plant because of higherpressure from one point to another, in particular, when the pressure ofthe natural gas is higher at the wellhead than the natural gascollection point, natural gas moves from the wellhead to the natural gascollection point. In order to move natural gas from the wellhead to thenatural gas collection point, a compressor is employed at the wellheadthat compresses the natural gas in the pipeline between the wellhead andthe natural gas collection point, and thus natural gas moves in thepipeline from the wellhead to the natural gas collection point. Becauseit is often not economical to operate a compressor at the wellhead, thedry natural gas is quite often flared at the wellhead into the openatmosphere, thus wasting the dry natural gas for energy production andintroducing CO2 straight into the atmosphere without any attenuation orfiltering.

For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below whichwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, there is a need in the art foran even greater reduction in carbon emissions in comparison toconventional SAF that is produced from livestock feeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems areaddressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying thefollowing specification.

In one aspect, systems, methods and apparatus are provided through whichin some implementations an apparatus to produce SAF from dry natural gasincludes a natural gas reforming apparatus that receives the dry naturalgas and that produces synthetic gas from the dry natural gas, aFischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus that is operably coupled to thenatural gas reforming apparatus and that receives the synthetic gas andproduces a hydrocarbon chain from the synthetic gas and a productupgrading apparatus that is operably coupled to the Fischer-Tropschconversion apparatus that receives the hydrocarbon chain and thatproduces the SAF from the hydrocarbon chain. Livestock feeds are notused in the production of the SAF, thus there is no trace of livestockfeed in the output SAF. In one particularly ecological implementation,the dry natural gas is sourced from dry natural gas that would beordinarily flared into the open atmosphere, thus preventing the drynatural gas from being wasted and having the effect of merelyintroducing CO2 into the atmosphere.

In another aspect, the dry natural gas is piped from a natural gas plantto the natural gas reforming apparatus, thus lowering the pressure ofthe natural gas at the natural gas plant, which in turn lowers thepressure at the natural gas collection point, which in turn lowers thepressure at the wellheads, which in some cases reduces or eliminates theneed for a compressor at the wellhead, which in turns reduces oreliminates the need to flare the natural gas into the open atmosphere.

In yet another aspect, a SAF production system produces SAF from drynatural gas in which the SAF production system includes a SAF systemwhich produces SAF from dry natural gas, a natural gas plant which isoperably coupled to the SAF system via a first pipeline, a natural gascollection point operably coupled to the natural gas plant via a secondpipeline and a wellhead that is operably coupled to the natural gascollection point via a third pipeline.

Apparatus, systems, and methods of varying scope are described herein.In addition to the aspects and advantages described in this summary,further aspects and advantages will become apparent by reference to thedrawings and by reading the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an overview of a SAF production system toproduce SAF from dry natural gas, according to an implementation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an overview of a system to produce SAF fromdry natural gas, according to an implementation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus to produce SAF from drynatural gas, according to an implementation

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method to produce SAF from dry natural gas,according to an implementation

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a SAF production control computer,according to an implementation.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a data acquisition circuit of a SAFproduction control computer, according to an implementation.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a SAF production control mobile device,according to an implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration specific implementations which may be practiced.These implementations are described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the implementations, and it is to beunderstood that other implementations may be utilized and that logical,mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the implementations. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The detailed description is divided into five sections. In the firstsection, a system level overview is described. In the second section,apparatus of implementations are described. In the third section,implementations of methods are described. In the fourth section,hardware and operating environments in conjunction with whichimplementations may be practiced are described. Finally, in the fifthsection, a conclusion of the detailed description is provided.

System Level Overview

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an overview of a SAF production system 100to produce SAF from dry natural gas, according to an implementation. SAFproduction system 100 provides an economical and ecological system toreduce hydrocarbon combustion by jet engines of aircraft. SAF productionsystem 100 includes a SAF system 110 to which dry natural gas 115 pipedfrom a natural gas plant 120, thus lowering the pressure of natural gas115 at the natural gas plant 120, a natural gas collection point 130from 115 natural gas is pumped to the natural gas plant, which lowersthe pressure of 115 natural gas at the natural gas collection point 130,and a wellhead 140 from which natural gas 115 is piped to the naturalgas collection point, which lowers the pressure of natural gas 115 atthe wellhead 140, which in some cases reduces or eliminates the need fora compressor at the wellhead, which in turns reduces or eliminatesflaring of natural gas 115 into the open atmosphere at the wellhead 140.

Apparatus Implementations

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a SAF system 110 to produce SAF from drynatural gas, according to an implementation. SAF system 110 provides aneconomical and ecological system to reduce hydrocarbon combustion by jetengines of aircraft. SAF system 110 includes dry natural gas 205 that isinput to a natural gas reforming apparatus 210. The natural gasreforming apparatus 210 produces synthetic gas 215 which is input to aFischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus 220. The Fischer-Tropsch conversionapparatus 220 produces a hydrocarbon chain 225 from the synthetic gas215 that is input into a product upgrading apparatus 230, and theproduct upgrading apparatus produces a SAF product 235 from thehydrocarbon chain 225. A utility apparatus 240 is operably coupled tothe natural gas reforming apparatus 210, the Fischer-Tropsch conversionapparatus 220 and the product upgrading apparatus 230. The utilityapparatus 240 exchanges steam 245, power 250, glycol 255, instrument air260 and nitrogen 265 with the natural gas reforming apparatus 210, theFischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus 220 and the product upgradingapparatus 230.

The system level overview of the operation of an implementation isdescribed in this section of the detailed description.

While the SAF system 110 is not limited to any particular dry naturalgas 205, natural gas reforming apparatus 210, synthetic gas 215,Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus 220, hydrocarbon chain 225, productupgrading apparatus 230, SAF product 235, utility apparatus 240, steam245, power 250, glycol 255, instrument air 260 and nitrogen 265, forsake of clarity a simplified dry natural gas 205, natural gas reformingapparatus 210, synthetic gas 215, Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus220, hydrocarbon chain 225, product upgrading apparatus 230, SAF product235, utility apparatus 240, steam 245, power 250, glycol 255, instrumentair 260 and nitrogen 265 are described. SAF system 110 does not uselivestock feed in the production of the SAF product 235. Except in theproduction of SAF product 235 from dry natural gas 205, one of ordinaryskill in the art would have no reason to combine the natural gasreforming apparatus 210, the Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus 220and the product upgrading apparatus 230.

In the previous section, a system level overview of the operation of animplementation was described. In this section, the particular apparatusof such an implementation are described by reference to a series ofdiagrams.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a SAF apparatus 300 to produce SAF from drynatural gas, according to an implementation. SAF apparatus 300 providesan economical and ecological apparatus to reduce hydrocarbon combustionby jet engines of aircraft.

SAF apparatus 300 includes dry natural gas 205 that is input to anatural gas reforming apparatus 210. The natural gas reforming apparatus210 produces synthetic gas 215 which is input to a Fischer-Tropschconversion apparatus 220. The natural gas reforming apparatus 210includes a desulphuriser 302 that is operably coupled to a saturator 304that is operably coupled to a pre former 306 that is operably coupled toa reformer 308 that is operably coupled to a heat exchanger 309 that isoperably coupled to a SynGas KO drum 310 that is operably coupled to asyngas compressor 312. The Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus 220produces a hydrocarbon chain 225 from the synthetic gas 215 that isinput into a product upgrading apparatus 230. The Fischer-Tropschconversion apparatus 220 includes a membrane separator 314 that isoperably coupled to a guard bed 316 that is operably coupled to aFischer-Tropsch converter 318 that is operably coupled to a steam drum320, and the Fischer-Tropsch converter 318 is operably coupled to a waxtrap 322 which is operably coupled to a heat exchanger 324 which isoperably coupled to a converter separator 326 that outputs tail gas 328.The converter separator 326 is also operably coupled to an oil/watercyclone 330 which is operably coupled to a condenser from the 332 whichis operably coupled to a condensate pump 334 which outputs syntheticwater 336. The converter separator 326 also outputs light hydrocarbon225. The converter separator 326 and the wax trap 322 are both operablycoupled to tank 340 which storage which is operably coupled to a waxdegasser 342 which is operably coupled to a wax pump 344 which outputswax 346. The product upgrading apparatus produces a SAF product 235 fromthe light hydrocarbon chain 225. The product upgrading apparatusincludes a PSA 348 that receives synthetic as 215 and that is operablycoupled to an H2 compressor 350 which is operably coupled to ahydrocracker 352 which is operably coupled to product separation drums354, 356, 358 and 360, which is operably coupled to a production pump362. The utility apparatus 240 is operably coupled to the natural gasreforming apparatus 210, the Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus 220and the product upgrading apparatus 230. The utility apparatus 240exchanges steam 245, power 250, glycol 255, instrument air 260 andnitrogen 265 with the natural gas reforming apparatus 210, theFischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus 220 and the product upgradingapparatus 230. SAF apparatus 300 does not use livestock feeds in theproduction of the SAF product 235.

Method Implementations

In the previous section, apparatus of the operation of an implementationwas described. In this section, the particular methods performed by SAFsystem 110 and SAF apparatus 300 of such an implementation are describedby reference to a series of flowcharts.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method 400 to produce SAF from dry naturalgas, according to an implementation. Method 400 provides an economicaland ecological method to reduce hydrocarbon combustion by jet engines ofaircraft.

Method 400 includes a natural gas reforming apparatus receiving 410 thedry natural gas, and the natural gas reforming apparatus producingsynthetic gas from the dry natural gas.

Method 400 includes receiving 420 the synthetic gas into aFischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus, and the natural gas reformingapparatus producing a hydrocarbon chain from the synthetic gas.

Method 400 includes receiving 430 the hydrocarbon chain into a productupgrading apparatus, and the product upgrading apparatus producing theSAF product 235 from the hydrocarbon chain. Method 400 does not uselivestock feeds in the production of the SAF product 235.

In some implementations, method 400 is implemented as a sequence ofinstructions which, when executed by a processor, such as processor FIG.502 in FIG. 5 or main processor 702 in FIG. 7 , cause the processor 502in FIG. 5 or main processor 702 in FIG. 7 to perform the respectivemethod. In other implementations, method 400 is implemented as acomputer-accessible medium having executable instructions capable ofdirecting a processor, such as processor FIG. 502 in FIG. 5 or mainprocessor 702 in FIG. 7 to perform the respective method. In varyingimplementations, the medium is a magnetic medium, an electronic medium,or an optical medium.

Hardware and Operating Environment

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a SAF production control computer 500,according to an implementation. The SAF production control computer 500includes a processor 502 (such as a Pentium III processor from IntelCorp. in this example) which includes dynamic and static ram andnon-volatile program read-only-memory (not shown), operating memory 504(SDRAM in this example), communication ports 506 (e.g., RS-232 COM1/2508 or Ethernet 510), a data acquisition circuit 512 with analog inputs514, analog output 516 and digital I/O port(s) 517.

In some implementations of the SAF production control computer 500, theprocessor 502 and the operating memory 504 are coupled through a bridge518. In some implementations of the SAF production control computer 500,the bridge 518 includes a video port 520 having display outputs 522 and524.

In some implementations of the SAF production control computer 500, thecommunication ports 506 are coupled through a bridge 526 and a bus 528to the bridge 518. In some implementations of the SAF production controlcomputer 500, the RS-232 508 communication port 506 also includes anintegrated drive electronics (IDE) port 530 such as an ultra directmemory access 33 (UDMA33) port, and universal serial bus (USB) ports532, and a PS/2 keyboard and mouse port 534. In some implementations ofthe SAF production control computer 500, a port 536 for audio,microphone, line and auxiliary devices is coupled through acoder/decoder (CODEC) 538 to the bridge 526.

In some implementations of the SAF production control computer 500, thedata acquisition circuit 512 is also coupled to counter/timer ports 540and watchdog timer ports 542. In some implementations of the SAFproduction control computer 500, an RS-232 port 544 is coupled through auniversal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) 546 to the bridge526.

In some implementations of the SAF production control computer 500, anindustry standard architecture (ISA) bus expansion port 548 is coupledto the bridge 526. In some implementations of the SAF production controlcomputer 500, the Ethernet port 510 is coupled to the bus 528 through anEthernet controller 550 and a magnetics 552.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a data acquisition circuit 600 of a SAFproduction control computer, according to an implementation. The dataacquisition circuit 600 is one example of the data acquisition circuit512 in FIG. 5 above. Some implementations of the data acquisitioncircuit 600 provide 16-bit A/D performance with input voltage capabilityup to +/−10V, and programmable input ranges.

The data acquisition circuit 600 includes a bus 602, such as aconventional PC/104 bus. The data acquisition circuit 600 is operablycoupled to a controller chip 604. Some implementations of the controllerchip 604 include an analog/digital first-in/first-out (FIFO) buffer 606that is operably coupled to controller logic 608. In someimplementations of the data acquisition circuit 600, the FIFO 606receives signal data from and analog/digital converter (ADC) 610, whichexchanges signal data with a programmable gain amplifier 612, whichreceives data from a multiplexer 614, which receives signal data fromanalog inputs 616.

In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit 600, thecontroller logic 608 sends signal data to the ADC 610 and adigital/analog converter (DAC) 618. The DAC 618 sends signal data toanalog outputs. In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the controller logic 608 receives signal data from an externaltrigger 622.

In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit 600, thecontroller chip 604 includes a 24-bit counter/timer 624 that receivessignal data from a +10 component 626 and exchanges signal data with a“CTR 0” 628. In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the controller chip 604 includes a 16-bit counter/timer 630 thatreceives signal data from a +100 component 632 and exchanges signal datawith a “CTR 1” 628. The 24-bit counter/timer 624, the +10 component 626,the 16-bit counter/timer 630 and the +100 component 632 all receivesignal data from a oscillator (OSC) 636.

In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit 600, thecontroller chip 604 includes a digital input/output (I/O) component 638that sends digital signal data to “port C” 640, “port B” 642 and “portA” 644.

In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit 600, thecontroller logic 608 sends signal data to the bus 602 via a control line646 and an interrupt line 648. In some implementations of the dataacquisition circuit 600, the controller logic 608 exchanges signal datato the bus 602 via a transceiver 650. In some implementations of thedata acquisition circuit 600, the bus supplies +5 volts of electricityto a DC-to-DC converter 652, that in turn supplies +15V and −15V ofelectricity.

Some implementations of the data acquisition circuit 600 include 4 6-bitD/A channels, 24 programmable digital I/O lines, and two programmablecounter/timers. Placement of the analog circuitry away from thehigh-speed digital logic ensures low-noise performance for importantapplications. Some implementations of the data acquisition circuit 600are fully supported by operating systems that can include, but are notlimited to, DOS™, Linux™, RTLinux™, QNX™, Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/CE™,Forth™, and VxWorks™ to simplify application development.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a SAF production control mobile device 700,according to an implementation. The SAF production control mobile device700 includes a number of components such as a main processor 702 thatcontrols the overall operation of the SAF production control mobiledevice 700. Communication functions, including data and voicecommunications, are performed through a communication subsystem 704. Thecommunication subsystem 704 receives messages from and sends messages toa wireless network 705. In this exemplary implementation of the SAFproduction control mobile device 700, the communication subsystem 704 isconfigured in accordance with the Global System for Mobile Communication(GSM), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) standards, 3G, 4G, 5G and/or6G. It will also be understood by persons skilled in the art that theimplementations described herein are intended to use any other suitablestandards that are developed in the future. The wireless link connectingthe communication subsystem 704 with the wireless network 705 representsone or more different Radio Frequency (RF) channels, operating accordingto defined protocols specified for GSM/GPRS communications. With newernetwork protocols, these channels are capable of supporting both circuitswitched voice communications and packet switched data communications.

Although the wireless network 705 associated with SAF production controlmobile device 700 is a GSM/GPRS, 3G, 4G, 5G and/or 6G wireless networkin one exemplary implementation, other wireless networks may also beassociated with the SAF production control mobile device 700 in variantimplementations. The different types of wireless networks that may beemployed include, for example, data-centric wireless networks,voice-centric wireless networks, and dual-mode networks that can supportboth voice and data communications over the same physical base stations.Combined dual-mode networks include, but are not limited to, CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA) or CDMA2000 networks, GSM/GPRS networks,3G, 4G, 5G and/or 6G. Some other examples of data-centric networksinclude WiFi 802.11, Mobitex™ and DataTAC™ network communicationsystems. Examples of other voice-centric data networks include PersonalCommunication Systems (PCS) networks like GSM and Time Division MultipleAccess (TDMA) systems.

The main processor 702 also interacts with additional subsystems such asa Random Access Memory (RAM) 706, a flash memory 708, a display 710, anauxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem 712, a data port 714, a keyboard716, a speaker 718, a microphone 720, short-range communications 722 andother device subsystems 724.

Some of the subsystems of the SAF production control mobile device 700perform communication-related functions, whereas other subsystems mayprovide “resident” or on-device functions. By way of example, thedisplay 710 and the keyboard 716 may be used for bothcommunication-related functions, such as entering a text message fortransmission over the wireless network 705, and device-residentfunctions such as a calculator or task list.

The SAF production control mobile device 700 can send and receivecommunication signals over the wireless network 705 after requirednetwork registration or activation procedures have been completed.Network access is associated with a subscriber or user of the SAFproduction control mobile device 700. To identify a subscriber, the SAFproduction control mobile device 700 requires a SIM/RUIM card 726 (i.e.Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module) to beinserted into a SIM/RUIM interface 728 in order to communicate with anetwork. The SIM card or RUIM 726 is one type of a conventional “smartcard” that can be used to identify a subscriber of the SAF productioncontrol mobile device 700 and to personalize the SAF production controlmobile device 700, among other things. Without the SIM card 726, the SAFproduction control mobile device 700 is not fully operational forcommunication with the wireless network 705. By inserting the SIM/RUIMcard 726 into the SIM/RUIM interface 728, a subscriber can access allsubscribed services. Services may include: web browsing and messagingsuch as e-mail, voice mail, Short Message Service (SMS), and MultimediaMessaging Services (MMS). More advanced services may include: point ofsale, field service and sales force automation. The SIM/RUIM card 726includes a processor and memory for storing information. Once theSIM/RUIM card 726 is inserted into the SIM/RUIM interface 728, it iscoupled to the main processor 702. In order to identify the subscriber,the SIM/RUIM card 726 can include some user parameters such as anInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). An advantage of usingthe SIM/RUIM card 726 is that a subscriber is not necessarily bound byany single physical mobile device. The SIM/RUIM card 726 may storeadditional subscriber information for a mobile device as well, includingdatebook (or calendar) information and recent call information.Alternatively, user identification information can also be programmedinto the flash memory 708.

The SAF production control mobile device 700 is a battery-powered deviceand includes a battery interface 732 for receiving one or morerechargeable batteries 730. In one or more implementations, the battery730 can be a smart battery with an embedded microprocessor. The batteryinterface 732 is coupled to a regulator 733, which assists the battery730 in providing power V+to the SAF production control mobile device700. Although current technology makes use of a battery, futuretechnologies such as micro fuel cells may provide the power to the SAFproduction control mobile device 700.

The SAF production control mobile device 700 also includes an operatingsystem 734 and modules 736 to 748 which are described in more detailbelow. The operating system 734 and the modules 736 to 748 that areexecuted by the main processor 702 are typically stored in a persistentstore such as the flash memory 708, which may alternatively be aread-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shown). Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that portions of the operating system734 and the modules 736 to 748, such as specific device applications, orparts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such asthe RAM 706. Other modules can also be included.

The subset of modules 736 that control basic device operations,including data and voice communication applications, will normally beinstalled on the SAF production control mobile device 700 during itsmanufacture. Other modules include a message application 738 that can beany suitable software program that allows a user of the SAF productioncontrol mobile device 700 to send and receive electronic messages.Various alternatives exist for the message application 738 as is wellknown to those skilled in the art. Messages that have been sent orreceived by the user are typically stored in the flash memory 708 of theSAF production control mobile device 700 or some other suitable storageelement in the SAF production control mobile device 700. In one or moreimplementations, some of the sent and received messages may be storedremotely from the SAF production control mobile device 700 such as in adata store of an associated host system with which the SAF productioncontrol mobile device 700 communicates.

The modules can further include a device state module 740, a PersonalInformation Manager (PIM) 742, and other suitable modules (not shown).The device state module 740 provides persistence, i.e. the device statemodule 740 ensures that important device data is stored in persistentmemory, such as the flash memory 708, so that the data is not lost whenthe SAF production control mobile device 700 is turned off or losespower.

The PIM 742 includes functionality for organizing and managing dataitems of interest to the user, such as, but not limited to, e-mail,contacts, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. APIM application has the ability to send and receive data items via thewireless network 705. PIM data items may be seamlessly integrated,synchronized, and updated via the wireless network 705 with the mobiledevice subscriber's corresponding data items stored and/or associatedwith a host computer system. This functionality creates a mirrored hostcomputer on the SAF production control mobile device 700 with respect tosuch items. This can be particularly advantageous when the host computersystem is the mobile device subscriber's office computer system.

The SAF production control mobile device 700 also includes a connectmodule 744, and an IT policy module 746. The connect module 744implements the communication protocols that are required for the SAFproduction control mobile device 700 to communicate with the wirelessinfrastructure and any host system, such as an enterprise system, withwhich the SAF production control mobile device 700 is authorized tointerface.

The connect module 744 includes a set of APIs that can be integratedwith the SAF production control mobile device 700 to allow the SAFproduction control mobile device 700 to use any number of servicesassociated with the enterprise system. The connect module 744 allows theSAF production control mobile device 700 to establish an end-to-endsecure, authenticated communication pipe with the host system. A subsetof applications for which access is provided by the connect module 744can be used to pass IT policy commands from the host system to the SAFproduction control mobile device 700. This can be done in a wireless orwired manner. These instructions can then be passed to the IT policymodule 746 to modify the configuration of the SAF production controlmobile device 700. Alternatively, in some cases, the IT policy updatecan also be done over a wired connection.

The IT policy module 746 receives IT policy data that encodes the ITpolicy. The IT policy module 746 then ensures that the IT policy data isauthenticated by the SAF production control mobile device 700. The ITpolicy data can then be stored in the flash memory 706 in its nativeform. After the IT policy data is stored, a global notification can besent by the IT policy module 746 to all of the applications residing onthe SAF production control mobile device 700. Applications for which theIT policy may be applicable then respond by reading the IT policy datato look for IT policy rules that are applicable.

The IT policy module 746 can include a parser 748, which can be used bythe applications to read the IT policy rules. In some cases, anothermodule or application can provide the parser. Grouped IT policy rules,described in more detail below, are retrieved as byte streams, which arethen sent (recursively) into the parser to determine the values of eachIT policy rule defined within the grouped IT policy rule. In one or moreimplementations, the IT policy module 746 can determine whichapplications are affected by the IT policy data and send a notificationto only those applications. In either of these cases, for applicationsthat are not being executed by the main processor 702 at the time of thenotification, the applications can call the parser or the IT policymodule 746 when they are executed to determine if there are any relevantIT policy rules in the newly received IT policy data.

All applications that support rules in the IT Policy are coded to knowthe type of data to expect. For example, the value that is set for the“WEP User Name” IT policy rule is known to be a string; therefore thevalue in the IT policy data that corresponds to this rule is interpretedas a string. As another example, the setting for the “Set MaximumPassword Attempts” IT policy rule is known to be an integer, andtherefore the value in the IT policy data that corresponds to this ruleis interpreted as such.

After the IT policy rules have been applied to the applicableapplications or configuration files, the IT policy module 746 sends anacknowledgement back to the host system to indicate that the IT policydata was received and successfully applied.

Other types of modules can also be installed on the SAF productioncontrol mobile device 700. These modules can be third partyapplications, which are added after the manufacture of the SAFproduction control mobile device 700. Examples of third partyapplications include games, calculators, utilities, etc.

The additional applications can be loaded onto the SAF productioncontrol mobile device 700 through at least one of the wireless network705, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 712, the data port 714, the short-rangecommunications subsystem 722, or any other suitable device subsystem724. This flexibility in application installation increases thefunctionality of the SAF production control mobile device 700 and mayprovide enhanced on-device functions, communication-related functions,or both. For example, secure communication applications may enableelectronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions tobe performed using the SAF production control mobile device 700.

The data port 714 enables a subscriber to set preferences through anexternal device or software application and extends the capabilities ofthe SAF production control mobile device 700 by providing forinformation or software downloads to the SAF production control mobiledevice 700 other than through a wireless communication network. Thealternate download path may, for example, be used to load an encryptionkey onto the SAF production control mobile device 700 through a directand thus reliable and trusted connection to provide secure devicecommunication.

The data port 714 can be any suitable port that enables datacommunication between the SAF production control mobile device 700 andanother computing device. The data port 714 can be a serial or aparallel port. In some instances, the data port 714 can be a USB portthat includes data lines for data transfer and a supply line that canprovide a charging current to charge the battery 730 of the SAFproduction control mobile device 700.

The short-range communications subsystem 722 provides for communicationbetween the SAF production control mobile device 700 and differentsystems or devices, without the use of the wireless network 705. Forexample, the subsystem 722 may include an infrared device and associatedcircuits and components for short-range communication. Examples ofshort-range communication standards include standards developed by theInfrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth, and the 802.11 family ofstandards developed by IEEE.

In use, a received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, orweb page download will be processed by the communication subsystem 704and input to the main processor 702. The main processor 702 will thenprocess the received signal for output to the display 710 oralternatively to the auxiliary I/O subsystem 712. A subscriber may alsocompose data items, such as e-mail messages, for example, using thekeyboard 716 in conjunction with the display 710 and possibly theauxiliary I/O subsystem 712. The auxiliary subsystem 712 may includedevices such as: a touch screen, mouse, track ball, infrared fingerprintdetector, or a roller wheel with dynamic button pressing capability. Thekeyboard 716 is preferably an alphanumeric keyboard and/ortelephone-type keypad. However, other types of keyboards may also beused. A composed item may be transmitted over the wireless network 705through the communication subsystem 704.

For voice communications, the overall operation of the SAF productioncontrol mobile device 700 is substantially similar, except that thereceived signals are output to the speaker 718, and signals fortransmission are generated by the microphone 720. Alternative voice oraudio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, canalso be implemented on the SAF production control mobile device 700.Although voice or audio signal output is accomplished primarily throughthe speaker 718, the display 710 can also be used to provide additionalinformation such as the identity of a calling party, duration of a voicecall, or other voice call related information.

In some implementations, the SAF production control mobile device 700includes a camera 750 receiving a plurality of images 754 from andexamining pixel-values of the plurality of images 754.

CONCLUSION

A SAF production system apparatus and method is described. A technicaleffect of the SAF production system 100, SAF system 110, SAF apparatus300 and method 400 is production of SAF that does not involve or issourced from livestock feed. Although specific implementations areillustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specificimplementations shown. This application is intended to cover anyadaptations or variations. For example, although described in generalterms, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatimplementations can be made in dry natural gas or any other natural gasthat provides the required function.

In particular, one of skill in the art will readily appreciate that thenames of the methods and apparatus are not intended to limitimplementations. Furthermore, additional methods and apparatus can beadded to the components, functions can be rearranged among thecomponents, and new components to correspond to future enhancements andphysical devices used in implementations can be introduced withoutdeparting from the scope of implementations. One of skill in the artwill readily recognize that implementations are applicable to futureFischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus, different natural gas reformingapparatus, and new product upgrading apparatus.

The terminology used in this application meant to include allpetrochemical natural gases and alternate technologies which provide thesame functionality as described herein.

1. An apparatus to produce a sustainable aviation fuel from a drynatural gas, the apparatus comprising: a natural gas reforming apparatusthat receives the dry natural gas and that produces synthetic gas fromthe dry natural gas; a Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus that isdirectly and operably coupled to the natural gas reforming apparatus andthat receives the synthetic gas and produces a hydrocarbon chain fromthe synthetic gas, wherein the Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatusfurther comprises a membrane separator that is operably coupled to aguard bed that is operably coupled to a Fischer-Tropsch converter thatis operably coupled to a steam drum which is operably coupled to a waxtrap which is operably coupled to a heat exchanger which is operablycoupled to a converter separator that outputs tail gas, the converterseparator is also operably coupled to an oil/water cyclone which isoperably coupled to a condenser which is operably coupled to acondensate pump which outputs synthetic water, the converter separatorand the wax trap are both operably coupled to a wax degasser which isoperably coupled to a wax pump which outputs wax; and a productupgrading apparatus that is operably coupled to the Fischer-Tropschconversion apparatus that receives the hydrocarbon chain and thatproduces the sustainable aviation fuel from the hydrocarbon chain,wherein the product upgrading apparatus further comprises a pressureswing adsorption device that is operably coupled to an H2 compressorwhich is operably coupled to a hydrocracker which is operably coupled toproduct separation drums, which is operably coupled to a productionpump.
 2. An apparatus to produce a sustainable aviation fuel from a drynatural gas, the apparatus comprising: a natural gas reforming apparatusthat receives the dry natural gas and that produces synthetic gas fromthe dry natural gas; a Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus that isoperably coupled to the natural gas reforming apparatus and thatreceives the synthetic gas and produces a hydrocarbon chain from thesynthetic gas; and a product upgrading apparatus that is operablycoupled to the Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus that receives thehydrocarbon chain and that produces the sustainable aviation fuel fromthe hydrocarbon chain.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein theapparatus further comprises: a utility apparatus that is operablycoupled to the natural gas reforming apparatus, the Fischer-Tropschconversion apparatus and the product upgrading apparatus.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein a utility apparatus exchanges steam,power, glycol, instrument air and nitrogen with the natural gasreforming apparatus, the Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus and theproduct upgrading apparatus.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein theFischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus further includes a membraneseparator that is operably coupled to a guard bed that is operablycoupled to a Fischer-Tropsch converter that is operably coupled to asteam drum which is operably coupled to a wax trap which is operablycoupled to a heat exchanger which is operably coupled to a converterseparator that outputs tail gas, the converter separator is alsooperably coupled to a oil/water cyclone which is operably coupled to acondenser which is operably coupled to a condensate pump which outputssynthetic water, the converter separator and the wax trap are bothoperably coupled to a wax degasser which is operably coupled to a waxpump which outputs wax.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the productupgrading apparatus further comprises a pressure swing adsorption devicethat is operably coupled to an H2 compressor which is operably coupledto a hydrocracker which is operably coupled to product separation drums,which are operably coupled to a production pump.
 7. A sustainableaviation fuel production system to produce sustainable aviation fuelfrom a dry natural gas, the sustainable aviation fuel production systemcomprising: a sustainable aviation fuel system which produces thesustainable aviation fuel from the dry natural gas; a natural gas plantwhich is operably coupled to the sustainable aviation fuel system via afirst pipeline; a natural gas collection point operably coupled to thenatural gas plant via a second pipeline; and a wellhead that is operablycoupled to the natural gas collection point via a third pipeline.
 8. Thesustainable aviation fuel production system of claim 7, wherein thesustainable aviation fuel production system further comprises: a naturalgas reforming apparatus that receives the dry natural gas and thatproduces synthetic gas from the dry natural gas; a Fischer-Tropschconversion apparatus that is operably coupled to the natural gasreforming apparatus and that receives the synthetic gas and produces ahydrocarbon chain from the synthetic gas; and a product upgradingapparatus that is operably coupled to the Fischer-Tropsch conversionapparatus that receives the hydrocarbon chain and that produces thesustainable aviation fuel from the hydrocarbon chain.
 9. The sustainableaviation fuel production system of claim 8, wherein the sustainableaviation fuel production system further comprises: a utility apparatusthat is operably coupled to the natural gas reforming apparatus, theFischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus and the product upgradingapparatus.
 10. The sustainable aviation fuel production system of claim8, wherein a utility apparatus exchanges steam, power, glycol,instrument air and nitrogen with the natural gas reforming apparatus,the Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus and the product upgradingapparatus.
 11. The sustainable aviation fuel production system of claim8, wherein the Fischer-Tropsch conversion apparatus further includes amembrane separator that is operably coupled to a guard bed that isoperably coupled to a Fischer-Tropsch converter that is operably coupledto a steam drum that is operably coupled to the Fischer-Tropschconverter which is operably coupled to a wax trap which is operablycoupled to a heat exchanger which is operably coupled to a converterseparator that outputs tail gas, the converter separator is alsooperably coupled to an oil/water cyclone which is operably coupled to acondenser which is operably coupled to a condensate pump which outputssynthetic water, the converter separator and the wax trap are bothoperably coupled to a wax degasser which is operably coupled to a waxpump which outputs wax.
 12. The sustainable aviation fuel productionsystem of claim 8, wherein the product upgrading apparatus furthercomprises a pressure swing adsorption device that is operably coupled toan H2 compressor which is operably coupled to a hydrocracker which isoperably coupled to product separation drums, which are operably coupledto a production pump.
 13. The sustainable aviation fuel productionsystem of claim 7, wherein the wellhead includes no compressor.
 14. Thesustainable aviation fuel production system of claim 7, wherein thesustainable aviation fuel production system includes no compressorbetween the wellhead and the natural gas collection point.
 15. Thesustainable aviation fuel production system of claim 7, wherein thesustainable aviation fuel system draws the dry natural gas from thenatural gas plant through the first pipeline, thus lowering pressure ofnatural gas at the natural gas plant, which lowers pressure of the drynatural gas at the natural gas collection point, which draws the drynatural gas from the wellhead through the third pipeline without use ofa compressor.